On Monday classes defined the following words, wrote sentences and drew a picture for each word (in your notebook):

9th Grade Period 1, 4, 8:

Precarious

Expository

Bolster

Daunt

Apathy

Ambiguous

Fervent

Vagrant

Undermine

Oblivious

12th Grade Period 5:

Delineate

Nefarious

Vernacular

Hindrance

Efface

Glutton

Hiatus

Engender

Obliterate

Copious

On Tuesday, we wrote vocab bio poems, here are the instructions:

First name
Four traits that describe the word
Relative of (synonyms, other characters)
Who feels Who needs
Who Needs
Who fears
Who would like to see
Resident of
Last name.

Here is an Example:

Querulous- verb complain in a whining manner

First Name Debbie
Four traits Annoying, weak, childish, frustrating
Relative of Whiny
Who Feels Cranky
Who needs constant attention
Who fears having to deal with a difficult situation
Who would like to see someone give them everything they want
Resident of SnottyBratsVille
Last Name Downer

Quick Write: Adding Specific Examples

On Friday, we wrote down a list of items we are thankful for. Now we will take these things and write specific aspects of those things that we are thankful for. For example, instead of saying “My mom,” say “Sunday morning pancakes my mom makes for the family.”

101 Things I’m Thankful For Piece

Write a poem listing 101 things you are thankful for.

Write about specific elements and details about the things you are thankful for. This assignment is an exercise in paying attention to the small details. Don’t just say “I’m thankful for my puppy” say “When my puppy catches the frisbee in mid air.” This will allow you to say multiple aspects about a single thing you are thankful for.

Use Imagery, especially the advanced imagery techniques we discussed last week.

Organize it 4 stanzas, 25 lines each, and one one-line stanza at the end for something special that you want to stand out.

Don’t number your lines. It will take away from the poem-ness of your piece.

Advanced Imagery

We have learned about imagery, which is descriptive language that uses any of the five sense. Today we will discuss some more advanced uses of the skill. Review this Writer’s Digest article.

Advanced Imagery Techniques

Don’t stop the story to give descriptions. Instead, weave your descriptions into the action. Example:As he shook John Cena’s hand, he could feel the years of training, body slams and grappling in the callouses of Cena’s palms.Instead of:He shook John Cena’s hand. Cena’s hands were calloused and tough from the years of training , body slams and grappling. In the first example, there is action and description at the same time, in the second, first there is action then the description follows, slowing down the pace of the story. The first example is better because it weaves the action and description together, keeping the story moving.

Try using “Double Nouns” to convey your imagery. These are basically “Imagery Metaphors.” That describe a sensation and make a comparison simultaneously. Examples: Concrete bed, iceberg floor, a cat’s “sandpaper tongue”, spiderweb hair, flagpole physique, leather skin, pumpkin head. Notice that these examples are two nouns (person, place, thing or idea) next to each other. They are very effective in creating an image, while not slowing down the story to give a description.

Assignment: In your notebook, write at least 3 sentences about the either of the following scenarios. Use the advanced imagery techniques above.

Maya won the race.

or

I was nervous for the roller coaster.

Don’t say “Walt stood over me, while I was in my seat. He was tall and skinny like a flagpole.” Instead say“As I sat in my seat, Walt’s flagpole physique stood over me.” The second sentence incorporates actions in the descriptions and uses a “Double Noun” comparison which describes how Walt looks, without interrupting the story.

Quick Write: Adding Specific Examples

On Friday, we wrote down a list of items we are thankful for. Now we will take these things and write specific aspects of those things that we are thankful for. For example, instead of saying “My mom,” say “Sunday morning pancakes my mom makes for the family.”

Green Eggs and Ham

Legend has it that Dr. Seuss was challenged by a friend to write a story using fewer than 50 unique words. So the story could be as many words long as needed, but he could only use up to 50 different words. This is a very difficult challenge and would force Dr. Seuss to keep his writing very simple in order to actually tell a story with such a limited amount of words to choose from. Every word choice was extremely important. Dr. Seuss went on to write Green Eggs and Ham. Published in 1960, Green Eggs and Ham is one of the most well-known children’s books ever written. That’s a true testament to keeping things simple!

What Are You Thankful For?

Quick Write: we often spend time thinking about the things that bother us or are wrong with the world, but take a few minutes and make a list of things you are thankful for.